Mar 16, 2010

On 16 March 2010 in Brussels, Belgium, Syngenta and the European Landowners' Organization (ELO) sponsored the 3rd Forum for the Future of Agriculture. This event brought together 600 delegates from politics, regulatory bodies, agri-food industry, NGOs and consumer groups. The main theme focused on "The Politics and Economics of Food Security Versus Climate Change.’

John Atkin, Syngenta COO Crop Protection (featured in the photo above) addressed the issue of how European agriculture should "mitigate and adapt to a changing climate." His main point was that “we must grow more on existing farmland rather than expanding into natural habitats, which are vital for carbon storage and biodiversity.” He also noted that agriculture must be included in carbon trading markets that recognize that increasing yields on existing farmland limits the need for deforestation. These negotiatons must accept that "growers must remain profitable and economically viable, otherwise they will not be able to play the role society demands."

Other speakers at the forum included a keynote speaker Dr. Jagdish Bhagwati, Special Adviser to the United Nations on Globalization and an External Adviser to the World Trade Organization; Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist at the US Department of Agriculture; Paolo de Castro, MEP and Chair of the Agriculture Committee; Alexander Sarris, Director of Trade & Market at FAO; Josep Puxeu, Spanish EU Presidency – Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Water and Tassos Haniotis, European Commission – DG Agriculture.

He highlighted that agriculture and climate change are inextricably linked: On the one hand, large amounts of Green House Gases (GHGs) are emitted by agriculture through land use changes, poor farming practices, and extensive livestock farming. On the other hand, agriculture has great potential to cut its emissions and help farmers to manage their land better and use natural resources more efficiently.

The 3rd Forum for the Future of Agriculture was organised through a partnership between Syngenta and the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO). It brought together around 600 delegates from politics, regulatory bodies, agri-food industry, NGOs and consumer groups. The key note address was given by Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, Special Adviser to the United Nations on Globalization and an External Adviser to the World Trade Organization. Other speakers included Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist at the US Department of Agriculture; Paolo de Castro, MEP and Chair of the Agriculture Committee; Alexander Sarris, Director of Trade & Market at FAO; Josep Puxeu, Spanish EU Presidency – Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Water and Tassos Haniotis, European Commission – DG Agriculture.

Downloads

Program (PDF - 66 KB)

FFA2010 Statement (PDF - 202 KB)

FFA2010 Statement (German) (PDF - 205 KB)

FFA2010 Statement (French) (PDF - 219 KB)

Synopsis of the book “European agriculture and new global challenges”, by Paolo De Castro (PDF - 86 KB)

Youth Forum – Syngenta engages with the next generation of leaders, farmers and consumers

This year, the Forum offered a special Youth Forum session for students on ‘why farming matters’. Around 100 students mostly studying agronomy, ethics, economics or public policy joined this important debate and helped answer this critical question.

The session resulted in the creation of a manifesto outlining the “Top Priorities for a Better Future for Agriculture in Europe,” which was presented to the conference plenary. Students also had the unique opportunity to join with some of the key speakers, including Professor Bhagwati, John Atkin, a MEP, a young farmer and a WWF representative, for a roundtable discussion.

For more information on the Forum click here.

Images

Auditorium

Panel Session

Panel Session.

Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati

John Atkin.

Global Media Office

Tel: +41 61 323 2323

media.relations@syngenta.com

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We are inviting you to tell us what you think about the important questions surrounding the debate. Visit the blog here

Read more about the 2009 Forum focused on how to govern and provide finance for food and environmental security against the backdrop of the global economic crisishere

Read more about the 2008 inaugural meeting focused on the objectives for European agriculture in the 21st Centuryhere